SCREENPLAY CONSULTATION

"Mark Sanderson gives fantastic advice on surviving Hollywood as a working writer."

—Script Magazine

Did you just finish your first draft or your third? Congratulations! You may have a fantastic idea, but screenwriting is all about the execution. Hollywood is a town where you get one shot to make the right impression and where readers will stop reading after the first typo or format issue. Your talent is as important as your attitude and work ethic and it takes all three to standout in a very competitive marketplace. When you consider approximately 30,000 - 40,000 scripts/treatments/pitches/loglines and books are registered with the Writers Guild yearly and only 4,745 WGA screenwriters reported any income last year, you have to be writing at a professional level to beat the incredible odds. The only real competition should be with yourself to become a better screenwriter, but if you have any doubts about your screenplay, now is the perfect time to receive professional consultation before you unleash your magnum opus upon Hollywood.

I'm a working screenwriter/script consultant with over fifteen years of professional experience and credits in television movies and independent features. I've been blessed to work and collaborate with Academy Award® winning producers, veteran directors, and Academy Award®, Emmy® and Golden Globe® nominated actors on my seven produced films and thirteen screenwriting assignments. Many of these Hollywood veterans have become my friends and mentors and in this spirit of giving back, I offer professional analysis of your feature screenplay or TV pilot to help push
it to the next level. What I don't offer are promises to know what the
studios are buying today (nobody truly knows). My screenwriting consultation services and screenwriting blog have regularly been featured in Script Magazine (my blog was Website pick of the Week), on The Story
Department Daily, The Daily Screenwriter, The Ozzywood Daily, The Arc, Film and Media, and The Scriptwriting Daily.

If your feature script or TV pilot needs help, my real-world experience and
insights can help you bring your project to the next level. Your screenwriting career is not some Dali-esque delusion, but the result
of work, talent, focus, sacrifice, patience and luck.

Please browse this website and the HOME page for more information about my upcoming workshops and webinars, my bio and links to my movie trailers and my screenwriting blog "My Blank Page", the FILMOGRAPHY for my credits, the REEL page for my writing reel, and my newYOUTUBE CHANNEL.

Detailed notes(5 - 10 pages) with page specific references and comprehensive suggestions on revisions to help fix the trouble spots in all aspects of the screenplay.

One screenplay edit that focuses on the details of standard formatting and proofreading for spelling, typos, grammar, and format. E-mail me your script in Final Draft or Celtx and I’ll edit directly using the “revision mode” and E-mail it back. The script cannot be written in WORD as a text document. The script must also be as close to proper Hollywood standard format as possible (this is not a formatting course!).

Follow up e-mail correspondence to address questions or concerns/advice.

TV PILOT PACKAGE: Half-hour or hour formats:$175
(maximum 70 pages)

Same consultation services as the screenplay package, but for TV pilots.

FEATURE FILM TREATMENT PACKAGE: $75

In-depth analysis of story, structure and concept. (maximum 30 pages)

All payments upfront to PayPalunder the E-mail name: mark@fiveoclockblue.net
You can use PayPal to pay via Credit Card even if you don’t have a Paypal account.

Two days to one week turnaround depending on my work schedule.CONTACT ME AT:mark@fiveoclockblue.netfor more information and to receive your FREE copy of two disciplines that I teach in my workshops: "Top 10 Daily Habits of a Professional Screenwriter" and my "Top 20 Steps to Follow After You Type: FADE OUT—THE END."

I look forward to helping you to get your script in the best shape ever.

"Only you know the hard work, sacrifices and time it took to reach
this level of your career. Surround yourself with like-minded people who
truly champion your overall screenwriting goals and not just support
you for one project. Remember this always—it’s your career.”—@scriptcat

Client testimonials...
"There are many "script consultants" out there. Many of them are more
concerned about enhancing their careers than about you as a writer. What
I look for is one who has the professionalism and experience to see
what I can't see in a script—to be my second set of eyes and give me
feedback that I can use to enhance my story. Mark Sanderson read my
script three times in a matter of days and provided an overview and
detailed page notes with very practical and thought-out suggestions to
enhance the script. You want someone who will take the time and personal
interest to care about your work and about you as a writer. No matter
how experienced one may be, having that supportive feedback means a lot
in this journey. Thank you, Mark!" — Britta Reque-Dragicevic, screenwriter of "Restoration"

"If you are serious about your career as a writer, one of the best resources you'll ever find is Mark Sanderson. Mark doesn't give cookie-cutter, thoughtless advice but he offers thorough, detailed and personalized service that is both refreshing and reliable. He is professional, courteous and genuinely interested in your success. You won't regret the investment. You owe yourself the advantage of having Mark Sanderson on your side."—KV James, screenwriter of "The Wren"

"Mark's immaculate feedback provided an clear, concise guide as to the
strengths and weaknesses of our screenplay, highlighting what was and
was not working, what there should be more and less of and - ultimately -
inspired the next pass of drafting. His feedback is direct, honest and
impeccable. Highly recommended!"—director/screenwriter Mark J. Blackman, screenwriter of "Teardrop"

"Mark was not the only consultant who worked on my script. But he was BY FAR the best. Hands down. I
did extensive research before I selected the consultants I availed
myself of and the extent to which Mark's work rises above the rest is
shocking. So much so that I literally scrapped the analyses and input from the others and went with Mark's feedback exclusively. He broke down my screenplay gently and effectively—and one of the most helpful things he did was not just identify weaknesses but make actual suggestions about how to fix them (e.g. "TRY this..." or "HOW ABOUT so and so..."). He also explained why he made a certain recommendation or why he thought something didn't work. It will make future screenplays much tighter from the get go. He will make your screenplay a thousand times better; he will make you so excited about rewriting/reworking it you will literally run to your computer to implement his feedback; and he will make you a superbly better writer along the way. Another thing: he's a super nice guy. I wholeheartedly endorse his services. Do yourself a favor: USE HIM."—David Bassin, screenwriter of "Through the Sweetness and the Smoke"

"I've used a few script consultant services now and I can say without hesitation that Mark's was the most valuable. While others were helpful in providing useful feedback on a certain component or area of my script, Mark's notes felt truly comprehensive. I've incorporated his ideas to improve everything from general format/readability to the actual comedic elements. I look forward to getting my next script to a point where I'm ready to leverage Mark's insight and guidance once again." —Carey Dunn, screenwriter of "Materminated"

"I have hired many script consultants in the past, but Mark has to be one of the finest. His critique of my work, and suggestions on how to improve it, without a doubt, has made the final product much more competitive and ready to market to TV producers. In the future, I will not hesitate to call on Mark's services again. Thank you Mark for your support and great advice!"—R. Lee Salkind Meliment, screenwriter of "Castleton Divide"

"I have used different script consultants, but I found Mark’s notes were so thorough, clear and brutally honest, I was able to go through them point-by-point, and came out with a markedly stronger and more marketable screenplay."—Ron Thomson, screenwriter of "Tour de Francine"

"Mark's
in-depth and thoughtful read inspired more confidence in pointing out
strengths, weaknesses and suggestions for improvement. His notes were
invaluable in making this a stronger and more marketable script."—Cyn Brocar, screenwriter of "Kingfisher"

"Mercy just made the Page quarterfinals and I wanted to thank you. It would have never made it that far without your editing help. So thank you very much!"—Carrie Wachob, screenwriter of "Mercy"

"Blunt and insightful. Mark is like a hawk and could see the common, often repetitive, mistakes I made that I was oblivious to. His suggestions helped reveal gaps in the story that my mind instantly started to fill. In revision mode, he brings the format up to professional levels with pinpoint accuracy. There’s so much advice that you will want to implement as you read through his notes, that you’ll keep returning to them as you go along. There’s no way this won’t take your screenplay to a higher level. Best money I've ever spent so far in the quest to become a screenwriter."
—Jordan Serson, screenwriter of "Day Dream"

"I've wanted to have my script read by a consultant, but shopping around in Hollywood online everyone was asking $1500 or more. I found Mark when I Googled him and he offered proofreading plus consultation. For the price, I did not expect such thorough high-quality feedback and he didn't pull any punches. The great thing was his grasp of the story and characters, and then knowing (seeing) a proper structuring of the events. I could go on and on about his suggestions and educating me, but to my knowledge, this is the best deal in Hollywood. So, you better take advantage of it while Mark is content to sell it at this price."—James Featherston, screenwriter of
"Abattage Angels"

"I've been writing for many years in fiction and non-fiction. But screenwriting is an entirely different planet. When I decided to take a shot at writing a screenplay, I was overwhelmed by all the resources out there. I decided to dive in, buy software and do my best. And then, when I was done, I found Mark. And "that's" when I learned what to do and what not to do. Mark's critique was detailed but easy to understand, firm but encouraging and I can tell he's a perfectionist. And he's making me one too! I can honestly say that my work with Mark was the equivalent of a screenwriting boot camp. I loved every minute of it. And I'll be back, for certain."—Aliya S. King, screenwriter of pilot "Platinum"

"Mark was not the only evaluation I sought after finishing my first
spec, but after receiving his notes and working with him, he will be in
the future. Other services seemed to put me on the bottom of their
list, pushing me out then delivering sub-par recommendations. With
Mark's help, I was able to focus in on the core of my story and develop
it from there. He dives deeper than the surface and seeks out where
your screenplay might be flawed. His notes were specific, in-depth and
extremely useful. He unearthed a gem in what have otherwise been a pile
of dirt. I can't thank him enough."—Michael Brenckle, screenwriter of "Jackpot"

"Mark's gift lies in the fact that he's not only able to supply you with
remarkably on-target insight and suggestions, but he's also able to
inspire you to find a deeper and better version of your script. He
understands your script, its strengths and weaknesses, and emboldens you
to find the hidden genius within your own vision."—Paul Schattel,
writer/director "Your Ass Is Grass"

"I was hesitant about getting a screenplay consultation, because you hear
a lot of mixed reviews. I'm so glad I did. Mark was the best thing to
happen to my script. He gives really comprehensive and detailed advice.
He found issues that I didn't even know existed, and really helped me
get to the essence of my story. I'm pretty certain I couldn't have
gotten to that point without him. The dude knows his stuff. I look
forward to working with him on my next project."—Rayna White, screenwriter of "It's Who You Know"

"Mark really worked for me. In my case I got script notes, general notes, the whole nine yards. Easy to say I got my money's worth. If you want a successful screenwriter to take your screenplay seriously, meticulously comb over it giving you constructive contributions, work with your ideas to help you fill out your vision, Mark Sanderson is your man."—D.R. Bradt, screenwriter of "Born to Kill 2015"

"Mark's notes were right on the money. He sees a movie in a script, no matter how good or bad it is and brings out the best it can be. I am fortunate my screenplay passed through his surgical mind. Thanks, Mark for making me happy with my words, my screenplay, my baby."—Njedeh Anthony Ebinum, screenwriter of "Mind Crawlers"

"When I came to Mark for help, I had a 136-page Sci-Fi screenplay that a Hollywood agent and director had criticized for being overwritten. With Mark's help, the script was not only pruned to 107 pages, but many subtle formatting and pacing issues were addressed. To receive his extensive and detailed notes for such a reasonable fee was a real blessing, as was the kind and positive tone in which they were given. Two other pluses I should mention about Mark's services are: (1) he is a working Hollywood screenwriter and (2) he takes a real personal interest in one's progress."—Ray Chesin, screenwriter of "Blue Planet"

"I couldn't be more pleased with Mark's critique of my script. He's thorough, smart, knowledgeable, detailed, passionate, experienced, encouraging, talented, and affordable. What else could you possibly want in a script consultant?"—Jeff Thomas, screenwriter of "Cuda"

"After reading through Mark’s notes, it felt like I had participated in an intensive screenwriting workshop. He gave me so much insight into the process and provided helpful suggestions on how to improve my script. I have incorporated many of his ideas and am pleased with the final draft. Thank you Mark for helping me take "Between Land and Sea" to the next level."—Joanne Guidoccio, screenwriter of "Between Land and Sea"

"Mark has the ability to take an idea and mold it into an amazing story that touches others. With years of creating great work, he has a grand insight into consulting on screenplays that is a true gift. My recent consulting experience with Mark has resulted in personal growth as a screenplay writer and a stronger screenplay then I could have ever imagined. I am proud to say Mark Sanderson is my mentor and an amazing teacher." —Faith Fay, screenwriter of "Game On"

"Your suggestions and notes were very, very, very insightful and helpful. They were so thorough and every point made sense. You didn't just outline problems, but you suggested solutions to the problems which I admired. After completing these changes, I read through my script again and it reads much, much stronger. There were points you brought up that I hadn't even thought of before or knew much about. Your service was worth every dime and I will be using you from here on out. THANK YOU once again! I owe you an Oscar speech!" —Justin Bamforth, screenwriter of
"The Collectors"

"Mark's analysis exceeded my expectations on every aspect of my
screenplay. I needed a pair of new eyes, professional eyes, that could
help me realize the true story behind my first draft. Now that my "first
draft fugue" has cleared, I understand not only what my screenplay has
been trying to convey, but how to convey it. I am now beginning to sense
what a true re-write consists of, but I couldn't be happier with the
clarity and precision of which Mark's notes have guided me. Thanks a
million!"—Will Stockton, screenwriter of "The Laugh Crafter"
"I wrote a feature comedy, but it turned out to be 274 pages when I finished it.After
Mark came in, he taught me all about making a script "lean & mean."
In the end after his editing, the script came in at 102 pages.
The Scriptcat really knows his stuff.” — Brad Grunberg, screenwriter of "Final Exam"

“This was my second time to reach out for a professional’s opinion. Your review, by far, was the most constructive and insightful. Well worth the money! Having feedback from someone who has already been there and done that is important to those of us who are amateur writers and do it for the joy of writing and creativity. Of course, we all have the dream of one day bringing the characters to life. Thank you for the detailed advice to improve my sitcom.” —Chris Parman, screenwriter of “Tulsa’s Crude”

"Mark’s feedback helped me break bad writing habits that I didn’t even know I had. The level of detail provided in his coverage made me understand where the problems were and how to fix them. He pointed out strengths in the script and not just weaknesses, which was a real morale booster. I was also amazed that he read the script more than once, which is above and beyond most coverage services."—Carrie Wachob, screenwriter of "Hunters"

“Mark
gave me great notes. Being a professional screenwriter, he knows the
industry standards and gives not only advice that you would get from
taking a screenwriting class, but also an experienced industry
perspective. A very reasonable, reliable and helpful guy.” — Nick
Josephs, screenwriter of "As the Crow Flies"

"Thank you for handing me the insight to to turn a good script into a great, exciting one. After using your notes and with any luck, my 'Legend of Sweet Revenge' will give me a shot at the proverbial 'Hollywood - Brass Ring.' I'm excited. Thank you, Mark." — Frankie Carbone, screenwriter of "Legend of Sweet Revenge."

"For anyone who is looking for a professional writer and script doctor, I would highly recommend Mark. I'd say, if you are looking for a professional writer to walk that extra mile with you on your script, look no further! My script is based in India and he knew my story and the characters as well as I do. He is extremely dedicated and into his work." — Earl Reginhard, screenwriter of "Zia"

"When I came to Mark with my screenplay I was stuck. I knew that it was too long, but wasn't sure where to begin cutting. Mark's advice was exactly on the money. Not only did he steer me in the right direction to get it where it needs to be, but he also gave me the feedback that I wasn't getting by having my friends read the script. Thanks!" — Tony Jones, screenwriter of"Chuck My Life"

"Mark has been a tremendous help to me. With the advice he gave me, I was
able to make my script tighter, pacier and more how I envisaged the
finished version to be. Suffice to say I now have one script with a
producer and another has made the quarter finals of a screenwriting
contest. I attribute the speed of both successes to having followed
Mark's advice. Thank you, Mark." — Hilary MacKelden, UK screenwriter/playwright of "Barabbas" and "Sammy"